Reviving America's National Will for the Global War on Terror

Abstract : It is the intent of this paper to explore the importance of national will when America is a nation at war. The paper will examine the role that Strategic Communications played to develop national will during World War II and contrast that situation with today's efforts to develop a national will regarding the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT). One of the nation's National Defense Strategy objectives is to Win the Long War. Winning the long will take more than military might, it will also take national will. The enemy believes this war can be won in the media. But for America, winning is more about building up a national resolve that has waned over time. The author contends that to win the long it is essential to regain national will. Americans today do not adequately understand or support the long because it is not adequately presented with clarity or consistency. Strategic Communication is critical to regaining America's resolve, and it is the responsibility of national and military leaders to present this case to the American people.